The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.10 – Christina's task: Shopping at the School Store:
September brings the beginning of another school year. In order to get ready for the new school year, this task is based on the supplies needed by every student at the start of a new year.
For this task, you will read 2 books. Using the dice roller, roll 2 dice (hit "Roll Again" one time) and pick the options matching your dice rolls.

First Die: Ruler – Using your first roll, read a book of your choice that falls within the corresponding page limits.

1. Read a book between 100-199 pages.
2. Read a book between 200-299 pages
3. Read a book between 300-399 pages
4. Read a book between 400-499 pages
5. Read a book between 500-599 pages
6. Wildcard! Choose your book length.

Required: Must note the number of pages when posting.

Second Die: Using your second roll, read a book that falls within the corresponding category below.

1. Pencil – read a biography of an author or a book in which a significant character is an author.
2. Markers – Read a book with a color word in the title from the 10 classic colors of Crayola Markers. (Red, Yellow, Green, Orange, Blue, Black, Gray, Pink, Purple, Brown) Plurals and possessives of the color words are OK. Compound words are ok as long as the entire word remains intact. No other variations.
3. Pencil Sharpener – Read a non-fiction book to sharpen your brain on a new topic or something you are interested in.
4. Eraser – We all make mistakes every once in a while. Read a book you have read before that you gave 2 or less stars to. You may also read a book off of a “Did not Finish” list if you have one. Required: Tell what your original rating was, or that it came from the do no read list.
Optional: Tell your new rating after re-reading the book.
5. Journal – Read a book that is written in epistolary format. Epistolary books are written in as a group of documents such as: diary entries, journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, etc.
6. Pocket Folder – Read an anthology or collection of essays, short stories, poems, or novellas by several contributing authors.

Required: State what number you rolled and how your book fits the task if it is not obvious when you post.

Approved

Pencil
Front Row at the White House
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt KidThe Case of the Murdered Muckraker
The Angel's Game
Sarah's Key

Disapproved

Pencil
I Capture the Castle

This task help thread is open!

Would a biography of a journalist count for Option 1 (Pencil) on the second die?

Front Row at the White House by Helen Thomas is the specific book I'm thinking of using. It's a look back at her career in the White House press corps.

Katie wrote: "Would a biography of a journalist count for Option 1 (Pencil) on the second die?

Front Row at the White House by Helen Thomas is the specific book I'm thinking of ..."

Yes, I will take journalists.

Do plurals count for Option 2 (markers)? Specifically, could I read a book with the word 'blues' in the title?

For Markers, can the color name be contained in a larger word or hyphenated, such as Red-Headed Stepchild or The Unidentified Redhead?

Beth F. wrote: "Do plurals count for Option 2 (markers)? Specifically, could I read a book with the word 'blues' in the title?"

As long as the entire word is in the title, I will take it, so yes blues will work.

Christina wrote: "Beth F. wrote: "Do plurals count for Option 2 (markers)? Specifically, could I read a book with the word 'blues' in the title?"

As long as the entire word is in the title, I will take it, so yes ..."

Awesome, thanks!

Fran wrote: "For Markers, can the color name be contained in a larger word or hyphenated, such as Red-Headed Stepchild or The Unidentified Redhead?"

Yes, that works.

I rolled a 6 on my first die. Does that mean that I can read anything (subject to the normal rules) as long as post the number of pages?

On my second die I got a 1. I was thinking of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. Would this be okay?

Thanks for such a great task.

Hettie

Hettie wrote: "I rolled a 6 on my first die. Does that mean that I can read anything (subject to the normal rules) as long as post the number of pages?

On my second die I got a 1. I was thinking of The Lif..."</i>

Yes,rolling a 6 on the first die is basically a free read.

Yes, [book:The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid will work!

Ok so for the second book I got a 1, could I read The Angel's Game?

I also got a 1 for the second book. Can I read I Capture the Castle? Might be a stretch, but it does sound like the main character is developing into a writer.

For 1 on the 2nd die would you accept The Case of the Murdered Muckraker.
The amateur sleuth, Daisy Dalrymple, writes articles for magazines and is visiting her new York editor when she witnesses the death of a journalist.

★Meghan★ wrote: "Ok so for the second book I got a 1, could I read The Angel's Game?"

That works!

Amy W wrote: "I also got a 1 for the second book. Can I read I Capture the Castle? Might be a stretch, but it does sound like the main character is developing into a writer."

I think I'm going to have to say no. Author need to be writing as a profession.

Wendy UK wrote: "For 1 on the 2nd die would you accept The Case of the Murdered Muckraker.
The amateur sleuth, Daisy Dalrymple, writes articles for magazines and is visiting her new York editor whe..."

That Works!

Christina wrote: " Wendy UK wrote: "For 1 on the 2nd die would you accept The Case of the Murdered Muckraker.
The amateur sleuth, Daisy Dalrymple, writes articles for magazines and is visiting her n..."

Thanks Christina - I'm working my way through the series and that's the next one!

For #1 on the second die, would you accept Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin? I think the book is mostly about his stand-up life, but he is the author of several books.

Carly wrote: "For #1 on the second die, would you accept Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin? I think the book is mostly about his stand-up life, but he is the author o..."

Sorry no, author is not his profession.

Does anyone have recommendations for #6 - anthologies? I always have problems finding good anthologies that are not too thick. No paranormal/ 'romance' anthologies for me... (By 'romance' I mean those usually classified purely as such in the library. I don't mind YA romance, for example.)

I dont have anything that I rated lower than 3 stars and I rolled a 4 the second die can I use that one?

Jodi wrote: "I dont have anything that I rated lower than 3 stars and I rolled a 4 the second die can I use that one?"

Yes that will be fine.

I'm confused. So I roll 2 dice at one time. The 1st dice is the book I choose that has the # of pages and the 2nd dice is the book from the supply list? For example, I rolled a 6 and a 3. So I can choose pretty much any book I want for the 6 and a non-fiction topic that interests me for book 2?

Thanks!

Heather KS wrote: "I'm confused. So I roll 2 dice at one time. The 1st dice is the book I choose that has the # of pages and the 2nd dice is the book from the supply list? For example, I rolled a 6 and a 3. So I c..."

exactly!

Ok I know I asked about The Angel's Game already but I wanted to see if Sarah's Key would work for option 1 part B?

★Meghan★ wrote: "Ok I know I asked about The Angel's Game already but I wanted to see if Sarah's Key would work for option 1 part B?"

That works for Pencil. Is that what the section you ae referring to?

Christina wrote: "★Meghan★ wrote: "Ok I know I asked about The Angel's Game already but I wanted to see if Sarah's Key would work for option 1 part B?"

That works for Pencil. Is that what the section..."

Thanks!

Cool idea! Love it!

what about urban fantasy type romances? I really liked Burning Up - it had a steampunk, an urban fantasy and a couple of traditional romances in it...

mstan wrote: "Does anyone have recommendations for #6 - anthologies? I always have problems finding good anthologies that are not too thick. No paranormal/ 'romance' anthologies for me... (By 'romance' I mean ..."

Dee wrote: "what about urban fantasy type romances? I really liked Burning Up - it had a steampunk, an urban fantasy and a couple of traditional romances in it...

mstan wrote: "Does anyone hav..."

Thanks Dee! That is still a bit outside of my comfort zone but I will check it out.

lemme think on some more...the majority of anthologies I see nowadays at the library are romance based unfortunately...you could go mystery with Candy Cane Murder, if you can get it - all three are cozy mysteries

mstan wrote: "Does anyone have recommendations for #6 - anthologies? I always have problems finding good anthologies that are not too thick. No paranormal/ 'romance' anthologies for me... (By 'romance' I mean ..."

Do you like fantasy? There are a number of good sci-fi/fantasy anthologies. I recently read Welcome to Bordertown and enjoyed it.

mstan: I've read a few good literary-type short story anthologies during the last year.
Dancing with Mr. Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House Library 4 * These stories were inspired by Jane Austen, but not necessarily written in Austen's style, and some of them veer off her subject matter.

Here's Your Hat What's Your Hurry: Stories 4* Has some quirky characters.

No Place for a Lady: Western Stories by Women Writers 3* Ranges from standard Western fare to the humorous and the tragic. Covers about 100 years of writers.

Fast Ships, Black Sails 4* Pirate stories

Once More with Footnotes 4* Funny Pratchett early works--includes a few essays.

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone! Donna Jo - I think I need anthologies from several contributing authors, which is a pity because I am a big Pratchett fan, but I will look through all the links. (I also love Austen...)

Dee- I do like mysteries, and will see if I can find the book you mentioned. Sandy- I do read fantasy/sf as well. My only qualm is the book is a 500+ pager... so I'll probably use it for another task or shelve it for later.

Will you count a memoir as nonfiction for #3 pencil sharpener?

Lahni wrote: "Will you count a memoir as nonfiction for #3 pencil sharpener?"

If it is written by someone you are interested in learning more about, sure.

Does Diary of a Wimpy Kid work for option 5?

Katrina wrote: "Does Diary of a Wimpy Kid work for option 5?"


Yep, That works!